Tottenham Vs Lazio: Match Thread

[Vapour]

Come on now.

Apart from the ruled out goals and the scrambled chance Lennon had, what did we create last night? Had the goals been allowed we would've been extremely efficient in front of goal. We need to create more, I'm worried about our lack of being able to break teams down. We're missing a lot in the final third, and it's not just having Ade in for Defoe either. Sigurdsson and Dempsey just aren't the answer for me.

I was impressed with the overall work rate of the players though. They seemed to want to win, which is good to see.

 

[montylynch]

I thought we were excellent. It's clear to me that there is team focus rather than just expecting one of our better players to do something special.

The fact Lazio had to foul us 21 times to our 7 shows how many problems we caused

I agree Justin, i thought that was an excellent performance last night. Full of determination, lots of running off the ball and lots of closing down. No player had a bad game in my opinion. We were just unlucky with the decisions.

I listened to TalkSport after the game and i know we've had this discussion, but i thought they must have watching a different game, they proper slagged us off, saying we should have destroyed this oppostion and we looked very lacklustre. Shame they have to stoop that low to get callers.

 

[Vapour]

We should of won 2-0 at home to a superbly organized, rock solid defence based italian team who have not been beaten this season - where is there any cause for concern there? We were well drilled last night - had firm control over the game for 80% of the game. How on earth can Dempsey be classed as not cutting it when he in effect scores on his full debut then has it wrongfully ruled out?

 

[Hoopspur]

My major question is how was the official gate just over 25k? At kick-off there were certainly pockets of blue seats but 10 minutes later the stadium was pretty full other than the top tier where the Lazio fans were. Looked more than that to me - the club pulling a fast one? After all there are now 25k ST's?

 

[Dundalk_Spur]

I dont pay any attention to any pundit now whether on radio, tv or print, as its all about agenda.

I liked the way we played last night. We kept possession, did look dangerous, if without a proper cutting edge. Officials made a couple of bad calls, which cost us two goals in the plus column, and I am surprised more wasn't made of the push on Sandro from a corner when he seemed certain to score.

We outplayed and outfought a decent Italian unit and they had to resort to some cynical and nasty fouls. On another night with different officials a 5 goal rout playing 9 or 10 men would have been the order of the day.

We have to remember we are on the path of Kaizen, which is continuous improvement, every positive step taken is a step worth taking.

 

[max cady]

What I liked about us was our ability on the ball, each player looks comfortable with the ball at his feet. We just need a couple of wins under our belt and we will be fine. Remember we were playing Lazio a very well organised Italian side.

 

[Sweetsman]

I think that there is still a well of support for Redknapp amongst the pundits and that's why I liked Fowler's fresh view on the match. The most gormless comment came from one of the commentary team who stated categorically that "Harry had left AVB a good team"! As I said it was refreshing when Fowler disagreed with Townsend and got Strachan to change his mind; he had clearly watched the game as opposed to fantasising about our former manager.

 

[t-baggins]

Point gained, but rather another match for our side to find its feet. We have a new manager, a completely new system, and new players. We are disappointed we haven't set the season alight, but let us be realistic. This was a performance that showed stability, defensive concentration, good penetration, and some decent finishing. Unfortunately for us the goals got disallowed, but that's football. Dempsey's goal should have stood (IMHO) Defoe's was offside from Bale, and Caulker bossed the defender and was wrongly judged to have fouled. Hugo looked assured, however it will be interesting watching his body language from the bench against QPR as I can't see him starting. Naughton didn't have a lot to do, Vertongan looked composed as ever, as did Caulker. Walker I thought was the most disappointing. I don't mean this in a horrible way either, I just feel his final pass let him and Spurs down too often last night. His slide pass to Lennon got blocked too easily, and meant Lennon had to keep making that run and not receiving the pass when perhaps an inside pass was a better option with Lennon already gone and we change the angle of attack. Sandro showed why he will be a massive player for us with a run of games. Athletic, tactically sound, his passing will improve, and the understanding with his team-mates in that midfield combination. I do fear when Parker returns as Sandro gets a little lost as he is wanting to do what Parker did seconds earlier, and misses the transition into attack. Bale again looked dangerous. Should have walked off with an assist, had he done so it would have been from drifting, which by all accounts is a contentious issue on here. I don't mind Bale doing a little wondering, but would prefer it if we had a left footer playing a LB when he does, so we can keep the balance, and some width with the ability to cross. Dembele class will only get better in our colours training with the quality we have. Dempsey was an interesting one. Scored (finished well if allowed... job done), looked comfortable dropping, but struggled to form any sort of combination with Defoe. I was hoping he would be pushed further forward and Defoe brought off to keep him fresh and give Dempsey some match fitness, but perhaps his lack of aforementioned meant he was the one to make way. I am really excited about what he brings to this side. More physical presence than VDV, more of a goal threat in open play, but less passing ability. With two up top and VDV in his prime playing deeper we may have wanted that, but with our shape I now think he had to move on. Defoe did ok up top by himself. As I said earlier had Dempsey and Defoe worked together a little more Defoe may have been rewarded with some space. Interestingly Lennon got Biavi??? booked early by going past him at pace, why didn't Defoe look to do this once during the course of the match. Massive game this weekend. We're on the up as are our opponent. Should be a fantastic match! COYS

 

[Mighty Spurs]

When did you ever think he could be a lone striker?

Ask AVB mate.